Parrish Times

By: Steve Parrish

Narrated by: Steve Parrish

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Champion motorcyclist and truck racer, television presenter, practical joker or just plain survivor - Steve Parrish has been called them all. Parrish Times tracks his amazing journey over the last four decades, through a roller-coaster ride of emotions in surely the most dangerous and exhilarating sporting arena there is.

The first phase of Steve's life sees him in the 1970s competing for the world motorcycle championship with legendary teammate Barry Sheene on a Suzuki. Then, after retiring from motorcycle racing in 1986, Steve manages a successful Yamaha factory team to three British Superbike Championship titles and starts a successful truck racing career, taking both the European and British Truck Racing titles in 1990. He became the most successful truck racer ever, retiring in 2002. Steve also proved to be a natural commentator, first for BBC radio, then transferring to television with Sky, ITV and Eurosport.

Against this backdrop of sporting triumph are the notorious pranks: posing as a medical doctor to allow John Hopkins to fly from Japan to the Australian GP; impersonating Barry Sheene in a qualifying session; owning a fire engine, a hearse and an ambulance - parking it on double yellow lines with the doors open in visits to his local bank.

It's a funny, hell-raising account of life - and death - in the fast lane that will keep readers enthralled to the end. Barry Sheene's final words to his best friend sum it up: 'Neither of us will die wondering.'

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2018 Steve Parrish (P)2018 Orion Publishing Group

from one racer to another... relatable

one generation later but many of the same tracks and even stories with a number of the people names but their kids! enjoyed hearing some of these stories from Steve as I heard a few of them from others involved

Best book I’ve listened to so far!

My daily commute to work taks 1,5 hours and I was actually keen to get into my car just so I could continue listening!

great book

great book with tons of funny stories and a good look behind the scenes during a special time in motorcycle racing history

My life in joke shops

The book is at its best when he talks wittily and candidly about the mortal fear of racing, and what separates the good from the best. But sadly it doesn't shed much light on the 70s GP paddock, the tracks, races, bikes or what it was like to ride them. It almost skips past 75-85. I wasn't expecting award winning journalism, but I was expecting this book to be about racing. Instead, we get lots of hoary tales, but they are all basically the same practical joke, perpetrated by Parrish on others, or by others on him, over and over again. Occasionally very funny but it wears thin and gets annoying. The best of these are when others - Sheene, Hopper, Charlie Cox - are in on it, but most of the 'pranks' are just idiotic and cruel. Narrated with the care and attention of somebody who had better things to do. And one mystery remains unanswered: why during his commentary did he tell us there's no 'ship to shore' radio in motogp every single race for 5 years?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A laugh from start to finish.

I picked this up since I’m familiar with Steve Parrish as a commentator. I didn’t know much more than that, besides the mischief. This book filled in so many gaps and did so in a hilarious manner. Steve’s narration is perfect and sets the tone very well, he’s a naturally gifted speaker.

I couldn’t recommend this book enough, wether it be in audio or written format. You wouldn’t have to be a race fan to enjoy this.

He is a very naughty boy

I always knew Stavros was a bit of a joker but I had no idea to what extent. Although I did find some of his jokes a little cruel they had me laughing out loud more often than not.
I discovered the joys of motorcycle racing in the mid 80's which is about the same time Parrish and moving on to race trucks. I had no idea he was Barry Sheenes team mate and loved hearing about some of the things they got up to both on and off the track.
Well worth a listen.

How did he get away with some of that?

This is an excellent listen, loads of great stories of Steve’s life and read by the man himself. His reading skills are a bit hit and miss at first but he improves near the end but the fact he’s reading it makes the stories sound more genuine and funny. Definitely rate this book.

Brilliant honest and funny

Absolutely brilliant book honest and well worth a listen I highly recommend!!!! You won’t regret it

read it you will not regret it

great listen.
funny story but I will not forget some bits in a hurry mainly the jokes Steve pull off.

Hard to put down

Hilarious ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ nearly crashed my car laughing whilst listening to Steve, really is worth reading, or being lazy like me and buying the audiobook

brilliant

great book VERY enjoyable and funny what a life would fully recommend this book 5 Stars

Entertaining

a great overview of someone that has turned his hand to many things over his career and had plenty of fun doing so.

very entertaining

A good laugh and great stories, of a time before corporate behavior was required for a racer.